Foreign Policy

Cold War During Cold War, US policy focus on containing communism

Defining our vital interest Political values define our interest US wants to encourage our constitutional ideas and improve the world

Now New foreign policy challenges

Terrorism Involved in 2 wars ISIS, Al Qaeda, every-changing threat

Population growth and poverty Trade with China

China’s regard for human rights comes into play They are asserting themselves more in foreign policy

Nuclear and biological arms control North Korea Iran Some people believe “preemptive intervention” necessary to keep weapons from dangerous

nations

EU and the Future of NATO Economically strong Europe poses threat to the US

Frequently our allies

Disagreement on Israel/Palestine

NATO expansion threatens Russia

Drugs Drug problems in US often stem from Latin American countries

Do we use foreign policy to combat this?

Global Environment US is both a leading polluter and leading environmental advocate!

Climate change?

Foreign Policy Lies directly under the President

All begins with the President Bargains, negotiates, persuades, calls up armed forces, recognizes foreign nations

Congress has power to declare war, appropriate funds, and make rules for the armed forces, ratify treaties

President is commander-in-chief of the armed forces Expected to negotiate treaties, send and receive ambassadores, spends much time

negotiating with leaders of countries Head of foreign policy after President is Secretary of State State, Defense, Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Energy, CIA, all report to Pres.

War Powers Act 1973 Congressional attempt to take back power ceded to the executive branch

President must report to Congress within 48 hours of inolving US troops in combat

Congress must authorize troop deployment after 60 days, otherwise President has to withdraw troops

Included legislative veto, but Supreme Court struck that part down

No president has ever acknowledged act as constitutional

National Security Council Created by Congress in 1947

Helps president integrate foreign, military, and econ. Policies

Different from NSA-National Security Administration

State Department 1st line of defense

Security of the nation

The UN 185 members

Set up in 1945

Has reputation of ineffectiveness

During 1st 45 years the General Assembly of UN was dominated by 3 rd world and communist countries

After Cold War Security Council worked more in harmony

Harder to raise funds and support for peacekeeping army

Should all in General Assembly have equal vote? Not all contribute the same amount

How efficient is the UN’s bureaucracy?

US provides 25% of UN’s annual budget?

Critics question US involvement

The Politics of Foreign Policy Public opinion: 75% is “mass public”

Know little of foreign affairs 15-20% “attentive public” The rest are “opinion-makers” (teachers, political leaders)

Special interest group: ethnic interest groups play important role Pressure to help certain countries

Foreign countries: countries have lobbyists in US

Political Parties: Partisan policy is kept out of foreign policy (generally) Bipartisanship is favored

Congress: crucial link between policy-makers and public Often divided on issues of foreign policy Sometimes blocks White House proposals

US Security and Defense Protecting American interests at home and abroad

What does it do? Defer nuclear attack Restrain proliferation of armaments Defend allies Forestall regional conflicts that could threaten interests Since 9/11 focused on terrorism

We’ve only declared war 5 times, but intervened 190 Are we spread too thin?

Dept. of Defense The Pentagon-provide strategic vision and practial coordination

Unification Act of 1946 brought Army, Navy, and Air Force under same organization chart

Joint Chiefs of Staff-advise President, NSC

Dept. of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 shifted power to the chair of JCS

The chair of the JCS is the most powerful peacetime military officer

Reorg. Act also strengthened commanders in various “theaters” around the world

4 Major Components of Defense Dept.1. Office of the Secretary of Defense

2. The JCS

3. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps

4. Intelligence and Defense Intelligence Agency, NSA

What are the inner conflicts?

Defense Spending Political Pressures

Military funds are approved because cutting it directly affects voters hence affecting Congress people

Defense Dept attempts to shut down uneconomical/unneeded bases frustrated 1988 Congress sets up bypass strategy-Separate committee decides which bases

to shut down. Must then get approval of Pres. and Congress

Military Strategy Strategy of deterrence-ability to threaten mass retaliation on any nation

that attacks us

MAD has insured 5 decades of peace

Doesn’t work with terrorism-why?